Istanbul, Turkey, January 22, 2013. After scoring a 3:1 away win last week in Sopot, Turkey’s Vakifbank ISTANBUL will be playing on Thursday once more Atom Trefl SOPOT in the Playoffs 12 of the 2013 CEV Volleyball Champions League. Vakifbank needs a second victory to advance to the Playoffs 6 and play there the winner of the double clash starring their compatriots of Eczacibasi VitrA ISTANBUL and AsystelCarnaghi VILLA CORTESE.
“This is a real knock-out match. The side that loses will eventually see its campaign in this competition come to a close” says Vakifbank head coach Giovanni Guidetti. “We have been working really hard and have prepared as thoroughly as possible. SOPOT has got tall and good players, so every time they represent a real challenge. Last week we won 3:1 there in Poland but not without any difficulty. I am sure that on Thursday Vakifbank will be playing aggressively as they have nothing to lose. They will take any possible risk. However, we are in good shape, we recently claimed a very important match with Fenerbahce in the national league and we want to prolong our positive series”.
Team captain Gözde Sonsirma Kirdar adds: “Of course this is an important match. Even though we did not play that well, we still beat SOPOT in Poland. We need to minimize our errors and try to score a second win also via the help provided by our supporters”.